175 



cortex. Largest leaves 2 cm. by 1 cm. with midrib sparsely pilose, on lower 

 surface prominent and reddish brown in colour, with 2-3 faint lateral veins. 

 Petioles 2 mm. long. Racemes '5-l'5 cm. reduced to a peduncle +2 mm. 

 long, with 1-3 flowers on pedicels +5 mm. long, sparsely pilose. Bracts 

 ciliate-acute, 1 mm. long. Calyx-lobes 1 mm. long. Corolla 2 mm. long, 



FIG. 16. 



Mcssa fruticosa Gibbs. A. Branch, reduced ; B. Flower; C. Longitudinal 

 section of flower. 



sparsely pilose on exterior. Anthers 1 mm. long, filaments adnate to the base 

 of the tube. Stvle with raised upper portion of ovary 1 mm. long, lower 

 inferior portion 1 mm. 



This species is very distinct in the shrubby habit and small leaves, 

 recalling Suttouia spp., or some forms of Myrsine africana L. In the 

 extremely reduced racemes, almost amounting to single flowers, it is so 

 far unique in the genus. 



YMPLOCACE.E. 



SYMPLOCOS (BOBUA) ARFAKENSIS Gibbs, sp. nov. 



Arbor parva, glaberrima, ramuli teretes, cortice leviter nigrescent*?. Folia petio- 

 lata, oblongo-lanceolata, sensim acuminato-obtusa vel einarginata, basi cuneata, 



